An Australian teenager,charged with brutally attacking and robbing a 20-year-old Indian student here,was part of a gang that targeted people of Indian appearance,a court heard Thursday.

A 17-year-old Sydenham boy was denied bail by a childrens court after being arrested for the Sunday attack on Manrajwinder Singh,following which he remains in an induced coma in a hospital here.

Singh,in Australia to study accounts,was bashed up by thugs in Birrarung Marr near Princes Bridge,as he and two other friends waited for a train. He suffered serious head injuries in the incident.

The offenders,perceived to be of African appearance,assaulted Singh by kicking him on the head and hitting him with a stick. They also punched his friend on the face.

The teenager,charged with intentionally causing serious injury,robbery and theft,was refused bail when it emerged he was on bail at the time following an alleged assault and robbery on another Indian victim in November. He was to return to court later this month.

Victoria Police opposed the gang members bail application on the grounds he allegedly committed the offence while on bail and would be a danger to the public if released,the Herald Sun reported.

The court heard the boy,his twin brother and their younger brother were named by another of those arrested as being responsible for attacking the two men,The Age reported.

The court was told the 17-year-old is a member of a gang known as KYR  an acronym for Kill Your Rivals  who terrorise vulnerable people and Indians. CCTV footage has captured eight youths approaching the men. Intelligence suggests they target vulnerable groups and they target Indians, a Victoria Police officer said.